Limited Genetic Diversity of Chinese Muscovy Duck (Cairina moschata) Revealed by Partial Sequences of Mitochondrial DNA Cytochrome b Gene

Muscovy duck is a popular domestic animal for meat in China. In this study, we tried to have an insight into the genetic diversity of Chinese Muscovy ducks (Cairina moschata). The length of 475bp of mitochondrial DNA cytochrome b (Cyt b) region from 31 individuals in two geographical populations of Chinese domestic Muscovy duck had been sequenced. Six haplotypes (S1-S6) were determined which totally contained six unique variations. In particular, Haplotype S1 was shared both geographic populations and had the highest haplotype frequency, while the other five haplotypes (S2-S6) was found exclusively from one population (Fujian population or Yuyao population). This limited genetic diversity coincided with the studies of domestic duck and the mitochondrial control region of domestic Muscovy duck in China.